QB Ra’Quon Washington hopes to parlay Westfield’s success into a college home

Ra'Quon Washington, center, has filled in so well at quarterback that Westfield has advanced to the regional finals.

Photo: Wilf Thorne / Contributor

Westfield is usually ground zero in the Houston area during the football recruiting cycle, especially under center.

But the early road during Ra’Quon Washington’s career on Ella Boulevard required catching passes more than throwing them.

“I was a backup for two years since sophomore year,” Washington said. “I just never got a chance, so I was trying to find a way on the field. I ended up playing receiver.”

But now a detour back to the quarterback position might ultimately lead Washington to his desired destination — the college ranks.

He has been a steady hand for the Mustangs in 2018, which briefly featured turbulence on Sept. 6 against Alief Taylor. That’s when the latest recruiting gem from the program went down with a knee injury. Senior Terrance Gipson, a SMU commitment, had thrown two passes before the season-ending injury.

Now he’s completing 59 percent of his passes for 1,807 yards, 18 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

Washington underscores what Westfield is about in 2018.

December has been the swan song for Ed Oliver, Keondre Coburn, Daniel Young, Dillon Sterling-Cole, Tyrie Cleveland and many more in years past.

This year’s team only returned two defensive starters. The commanding names in recruiting circles aren’t really there as the 12-1 Mustangs prepare to face Longview in the Class 6A Division II Region II final Saturday.

And that’s OK.

“We really had to find an identity as a team because no one is really that big name,” said Washington said about what makes this Westfield team different than its predecessors. “We’re just all trying to eat.”

There is a story like Washington’s in every Texas high school postseason.

The 5-11, 185-pounder is an uncovered gem who wants to play in college but has had little traction in his recruitment for whatever reason. But the postseason itself serves as an advantage.

Not many programs are playing this deep into the season. And being the quarterback for one that is makes for a bigger stage for Washington to showcase his skills.

The new early signing period is catered to the biggest names in recruiting and to college coaches who want a jump on piecing their classes together. There will be room for someone like Washington in February if he needs that long.

Westfield coach Matt Meekins says Washington’s fit at quarterback has as much to do with his understanding of the offense’s schemes, the concepts and the timing as it does with his ability.

Meekins says Washington has some FCS interest at inside receiver but hopes college coaches consider him as a fill-in at quarterback.

“You look at so many teams this year in college football that got down to their third and fourth quarterbacks. You’ve also got a guy who can come in and get you out of a game or, if you had to move some chess pieces around, come in and get the job done.”

Washington once played fullback in middle school. His versatility has extended to high school, where he can add punt and kick returning to his résumé.

Asked which position he would rather play in college, Washington simply responded “I’m just trying to play football.”